Lord Verus, Master of the Order of Bogan
Hyperspace, 1049 ABY, midnight, 12th day of 11th month, the Starforge
Verus walked out of the tunnel to embrace the dim light of the earthly fires that ran across the planet. He seemed to be struck by grief, rumination, knowing that his steps forward would take him away from something dear to him perhaps forever. However, the steps forward are what was required from him. That was what he required from himself, the conviction to finally put an end to an eternal cycle that has plagued the galaxy, and the universe itself, for far too long. He stepped out of the cave and marched towards the shuttle as the hum of the engines and the exhaust they created battered his cape around. He walked up the boarding ramp of their shuttle as he greeted his apprentice with a nod, and as soon as he walked inside the shuttle, the boarding ramp lifted and the ship itself would take off from the surface of the planet—taking off into the orbit of the planet where the Starforge has laid dormant for centuries.
The Starforge was the culmination of ancient Rakatan technology, a true work of art and something that has not been replicated by any species after their eventual demise. A machine capable of creating things infinitely as long as it has the necessary fuel—the power of the dark side and stars. Verus looked upon the station from the passengers’ window of the shuttle, viewing as it feeds on the power of Udunn itself. It was the true cause behind the many tremors of the planet and its decay, being eaten alive by the station. The station wasn’t a mere piece of technology, it had a sentience of its own and it had the power to corrupt anyone trying to wield its power. Thus, Verus knew that he’d need to embrace every bit of his essence to control the station.
”There it is, my apprentice. The Starforge. The ancient factory that was artfully created by the ingenious Rakatan people, who combined elements of the Force and technology to create… Infinity.”
Verus uttered with a sense of admiration as their shuttle approached the main hangar bay of the station, preparing for docking in. The station consisted of a gargantuan central sphere with three fins protruding from it, making the station as large as an average moon. It had lain dormant since the Second Jedi Civil War, when the Jedi Order defeated early followers of Bogan and destroyed the station—presuming it to be lost forever. Nonetheless, a seed of the station was left orbiting the planet and it slowly grew and repaired itself, feeding on the dark energies of Udunn. Now, it was whole once more and only required a key to use it. That was what they retrieved from Belsavis. As the shuttle landed in the hangar bay, the boarding ramp once more opened as Verus would walk out from the shuttle, being met by a legion of Bogans’ servants. As he walked through the parade, he was met by a captain that went by the name Jendar. He met Verus with a nod, greeting him. Verus recognized him immediately, as he had served him for nearly a decade.
”Captain Jendar, prepare the station for a hyperspace jump to the Corellian system. I will ignite the factory operating systems and take control of the stations’ sentience immediately.”
Verus uttered with command and conviction, as his order was met by obedience and a nod as a sign of his obedience. Verus then continued to walk towards an open blast door, leading to a long corridor that itself led to a great, central control room within the heart of the station. Verus expected his apprentice to follow the suit and walk after him. He marched through the corridor with an aura of command about him, as he spoke to his apprentice.
”If you are to take hold of your destiny, dear Anathema, you must take hold of everything.”
Verus uttered with conviction, as he prepared to teach his apprentice another lesson—a lesson that required dueling, not to test her ability, but her will to do what she must. He then approached the main operating room, a sight to behold. It emanated coldness, something dark. If one was to attune themselves to the Force to listen, they could hear the heart of the station whispering, speaking to them. Demanding to be used. Verus then took the orb he retrieved from Belsavis, and almost as if offered it to a hole located in the mainframe of the control room. As he placed it upon it, the control room ignited and burst into light, as the control panel projected a large hologram depicting the various systems of the station, and the station itself. He stared at the hologram, almost as if admiring it. He kept his back turned to his apprentice, as he began speaking to her.
”It will take time for Starforge to jump into hyperspace, therefore, I will teach you another lesson my apprentice. I will not always be around for you, and there will be a time when I will be forever lost in the Force while you will bend it all to your will. However, you must never rely on your power alone. Now, I stand far more powerful than you are. However, if you focus on the present and let the Force guide you, and not your rage, you can find a way to defeat me. Now come. Ignite your lightsaber, and strike me down. Let go of me, only if for this lesson.”
Verus uttered with conviction as he was betting his own life against the willpower of his young apprentice.
